HomeHome Page Writer Sholem Alechem Celebrated in Music and on Film at the Holocaust Museum

Writer Sholem Alechem Celebrated in Music and on Film at the Holocaust Museum

Will Soll’s Klezmer Conspiracy will perform a concert titled “Varshavski Cabaret” on Sunday, June 29 at noon in the Holocaust Museum Theatre in the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building, 12 Millstone Campus Drive. The program will precede a 1 pm screening of Sholem Aleichem: Laughter in the Darkness, the next film in the museum’s Sandra and Mendel Rosenberg Sunday Afternoon Film Series.

The film, a riveting portrait of the great writer whose stories became the basis of the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof, portrays a rebellious genius who created an entirely new genre of literature. The musical program will feature songs by Mark Varshavski, a contemporary of Sholem Aleichem who was great supporter of his work and composer of “Der alef-beyz,” better known as “Oyfn Pripetshik.” Other songs, including selections with lyrics by Sholem Aleichem, will also be performed.

Introductory remarks and a post-screening discussion will be facilitated by Dr. Ethan Schuman, dentist and chazzan by profession, Yiddishist and violinist by avocation. Dr. Schuman has traveled the world seeking out remnants of Jewish communities in need.

This program is free and open to the public. The film has a running time of 90 minutes. For further information, call 314-442-3714 or email dreich@jfedstl.org.